Category Archives: Actions

Warning… A Disaster Waiting To Happen!

29 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in Actions, Change, Character, Decisions, Humility, Power, Sacrifice, Servant, Teachers

≈ Leave a comment

We have all heard this saying, “That is a disaster waiting to happen.”

 

A disastrous situation usually depends on what the situation is and who is involved; more or less – relative. Now let’s look at it from our dealings with those in leadership positions. What determines disastrous leadership? Do you believe a leader can be disastrous? Are they disastrous by nature or only with their actions and decisions? Better yet, let’s just say that some leaders can be disastrous causing.

Every day we are around leaders. We work with them, see them on TV, hear them on the radio, etc… What is it about them that misses the mark on being extraordinary as opposed to disastrous? Here are a few random thoughts that have been on my mind lately…

Disastrous leaders do these too often…

images-13

Create turmoil…
Talk about stirring the pot; they are only happy when they are happy.

Easily frustrated…
At the drop of a handkerchief, I would say.

Unable to make mistakes…
It is not because they cannot or do not make mistakes, but because they are always right.

Do not want to see beyond the now…
They only change when they are forced to or if a change makes them look good.

The higher they climb, the more arrogant they become…
It is almost as if they have an “air” about them; however, they are only breathing in the smell of themselves.

For our leadership to be effective, we must be able to identify what is and what causes disastrous leadership. Knowing these characteristics and avoiding them enables you, your leadership, and others around you the opportunity to be the leader others need.

Yes, some things are a disaster waiting to happen. Yes, there is bad leadership out there, and often we feel the effects of it in our lives. However, we cannot live in a bubble. It is up to each of us, to find a way that enables and empowers others not to be a part of or create a disastrous environment.

©2019 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts?  Follow me on…

Image result for small facebook icon

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

Knowing Who You Are As A Leader…

22 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Consistency, Effective, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Servant, Understanding

≈ Leave a comment

First, let’s state this as a premise for our thoughts today…

“Not everyone thinks like you.”

If you are hung up on this notion and believe that others should or even do, then trouble is already at your door.

Every leader has specific skill sets that allow them to be who they are.  This skill set can only be defined by words and actions – right or wrong as it may be. The fallacy is that many leaders go through life leading as though they are the example everyone should follow.

When we lead like this, our leadership is only supported by ourselves, and we limit leadership growth in others.

A few thoughts moving forward… Knowing who you are as a leader is important because…

QMan

As a leader, we must be aware of how we lead and understand that not everyone is going to respond. To get the most out of people, we have to be willing to understand them.  When we do, our leadership and theirs become more effective.

Situational leadership is sometimes needed, but consistency is key. No one is for the better if they are always trying to figure out what we are thinking. Think of it this way… If other people are having to try to figure out why you lead like you do, it is like looking at the seven-day forecast of the weather. Why? Because they need to plan for however the wind blows…

Find a style of leadership that works for both you and more importantly, others.  Many times, we model our leadership based on leaders we admire or the latest book we have read and therein lies the problem.  We are not them.  Be who you are based on knowing your “why” and lead by serving.

The more I listen, observe, and participate in discussions with regards to leadership, the more I realize that society does not promote the type of leadership that is for others. We are in need of an agenda that helps, not an agenda of self. Start leading by knowing who you are.

©2019 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts?  Follow me on…

Image result for small facebook icon

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

“Plastic-Leather” Leadership

22 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by in Actions, Freedom, Heart, Humility, Leader, Leadership, Pride

≈ 1 Comment

PRIDE… It had “I” right in the middle of spelling for us as a reminder. Pride is a funny thing, and you can have it either way, good or bad in your life. To answer the “pride” question, you really have to look deep within yourself and be able to answer the hard questions.

I believe there is a vast difference between being a prideful leader and a leader who has pride. Both are everywhere but one of the two wants and needs an audience more than the other and does almost anything to obtain it.

Prideful leaders crave accolades, applause, and recognition. They live their lives drawing attention and will give it to themselves if they cannot receive it from anywhere else. Their presence of pride is lived on public identity. Listen for words of “me” and “I” in their speech.

Vinyl-cracking-1024x768I like to use the word “pleather” here as a definition for an analogy – prideful leaders are nothing more than “plastic-leather,” a sham and a fake. Eventually it will show what it truly is.

They rub enough elbows and pat enough backs to get where they want to be. Most of all, a prideful leader’s heart is hard, blocked and clogged from being able to let humility flow with the struggle of each beat. Their whole body becomes stiff, leaving them unable to bend in humility with and for others.

Here is what leaders who have pride do… THE OPPOSITE of everything above. Easy to say, right? Yes. How do you know? It shows in their actions instead of their speech. They help others without making other lives miserable. They teach and educate, not browbeat. They give confidence to others. Their pride is in the fact that they want others to succeed. Their freedom of being prideful is in their humbleness of putting others first — no “pleather” with them.

It matters not where you work or what position you are in; pride is always there. Let it be the right kind of pride in your life. Everyone around will be better for it.

I would be remiss if I did not close with this Scripture reference: “… Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'” – I Peter 5:5 (ESV).

©2019 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts?  Follow me on…

Image result for small facebook icon

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

Encouragement… Have You Used It Lately?

08 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by in Actions, Encouragement, Leader, Leadership, Relationships, Teachers, Transformational, Value, Word

≈ 2 Comments

Staying on the educational side of leadership this week let’s touch on the idea of encouragement, and how teachers and leaders* can enhance this characteristic.

*Again, while discussing this idea, you can at any time switch out the words teaching and leading/leadership.

Encouragement

One of the most useful tools a teacher can have is being an encourager. In today’s culture, many things cause students to be cast down, and it is very easy for them to be and become discouraged. They put up a “front,” not wanting anyone to recognize help is needed. They believe they are self-reliant, saying, “I can get through this,” all along knowing they need help. A majority of the time, that help can be nothing more than simple encouragement. You can tell when students are encouraged. They have a new spring in their step and a broader smile on their face.

We have all, at one time or another, needed encouragement. Why? Because we have all had experiences when someone or something failed us. It is at that time encouragement was needed most; wanting to be understood and have someone stand for and with us. None of us can know what lies ahead. For the most part, we do not know what is going  on in the lives of our students. Until we are intentional with our relationships, any words of encouragement become shallow and unfelt. Lip service is never good in leadership.

I have found the best way to encourage students, especially in the classroom, is to just acknowledge their existence in an adult, professional manner. A “hello” with their name at the door, a fist pump, or an elbow tap eases the slightest apprehension a student might have. When you make it where the student understands that you are there for help, it changes their whole thought process. What does not work is saying, “If you need some help, let me know.” Without intentionality, this sounds like a blanket statement, quickly said, so it goes on record.

We must also realize that words of encouragement do not immediately make troubles disappear. However, what words of encouragement do is acknowledge someone needs help. Encouraging words can help a person not live in a room of emptiness. Often, students feel deserted, only painting a picture of loneliness because they do not understand something or feel devalued.

As we continue to educate, make sure you are for your students, and that means, when needed, truly encouraging them. You might be the only one who does.

©2019 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts?  Follow me on…

Image result for small facebook icon

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!